Budget talks break down -- again

December 15, 1995
Web posted at: 5 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Another partial federal shutdown looms as budget talks between the White House and Congressional negotiators once again broke down Friday with both sides accusing each other of being unyielding.

Republicans said they're disappointed in President Clinton's latest budget offer. They said it doesn't come close to balancing the books over seven years. Democrats said Republicans want deeper cuts in the growth of Medicare and Medicaid.

The two sides met in Washington to exchange new balanced budget proposals, and they walked out separately. 

GOP negotiators said they'll go back to the table when the White House offers a budget that is "real." Democrats said Republicans are holding the talks ransom to cuts in Medicare and Medicaid.

The intractability is once again stalling action on a stop-gap spending measure needed to keep the government fully operating past midnight. About 280,000 government employees are likely to be affected by the shutdown this time. Last month, the budget impasse resulted in 800,000 government employees being furloughed.